| UCAS code | QR05 |
|---|---|
| Duration | 4 years |
| Entry year | 2025 |
| Campus | Streatham Campus |
| Discipline | Classics and Ancient History |
| Contact | Web: Enquire online |
| Typical offer | A levels: AAB - ABB |
|---|---|
|
A-Level: BBB-BBC |
Overview
- Combine the challenge of exploring the culture and thought of the ancient world with the study of a modern language
- Study Greek and Roman literature, history, and culture from translated texts
- In your final year choose from a range of ‘special subjects’ that consider the ancient world from different perspectives
- Your third year will normally be spent studying abroad in a country where you can develop your chosen language
- You can choose to study any of our languages from beginners: Chinese (Mandarin); French; German; Italian; Portuguese; Russian; or Spanish
Top 150 in world subject rankings for Modern Languages and Cultures
QS World University Subject Rankings 2023
Year abroad spent studying at a partner university or in employment
Top 10 in the UK for Classics and Ancient History
6th in The Times and The Sunday Times Good University Guide 2024
Proactive Classics Society with successful student tutor scheme
Entry requirements (typical offer)
| Qualification | Typical offer | Required subjects |
|---|---|---|
| A-Level | AAB - ABB | Dependent on subjects chosen |
| IB | 34/665 - 32/655 | Dependent on subjects chosen |
| BTEC | DDD - DDM | Dependent on subjects chosen |
| GCSE | C or 4 | English Language |
| Access to HE | 30 L3 Credits at Distinction Grade and 15 L3 credits at Merit Grade - 24 L3 Credits at Distinction Grade and 21 L3 credits at Merit Grade. | Dependent on level chosen the required L3 credits in Modern Foreign Language subject area |
| T-Level | Distinction | Dependent on subjects chosen GCE AL in a Modern Foreign Language |
| Contextual Offer | A-Level: BBB-BBC |
Specific subject requirements must still be achieved where stated above. Find out more about contextual offers. |
| Other accepted qualifications | ||
| English language requirements |
International students need to show they have the required level of English language to study this course. The required test scores for this course fall under Profile B2. Please visit our English language requirements page to view the required test scores and equivalencies from your country. |
|
NB General Studies is not included in any offer.
Grades advertised on each programme webpage are the typical level at which our offers are made and provide information on any specific subjects an applicant will need to have studied in order to be considered for a place on the programme. However, if we receive a large number of applications for the programme we may not be able to make an offer to all those who are predicted to achieve/have achieved grades which are in line with our typical offer. For more information on how applications are assessed and when decisions are released, please see: After you apply
Language requirements
- No previous language qualifications are required.
- You may only choose one language.
- French, German, Italian, Russian, and Spanish can be studied either from A level or beginner’s level, with both cohorts reaching degree level in the final year. Portuguese and Chinese can normally only be studied from beginner’s level, not from A Level; students of these two languages reach degree level in final year.
Languages and levels available for Combined Honours courses
|
I want to study a new language at beginner level alongside my other subject (excluding programmes with Arabic) |
|
| Modern Languages requirements | No previous language qualifications required. We strongly recommend that students who want to start a languages degree with no previous linguistic experience should contact us. |
| Advanced level languages available | n/a |
| Beginners level languages available | Chinese (Mandarin); French; German; Italian; Portuguese; Russian; Spanish |
|
I want to study my A level (or equivalent) language at advanced level alongside my other subject (including programmes with Arabic) |
|
| Modern Languages requirements | A level grade B or IB HL5 or SL6 (or equivalent) in the language chosen at advanced level |
| Advanced level languages available | French; German; Italian; Russian; Spanish |
| Beginners level languages available | n/a |
Completing your UCAS form
In the section named ‘further details’ on your UCAS application form please indicate in the ‘choices’ field the language and route you wish to study using the abbreviations below, separated by a space:
| French | Fren |
| Chinese (Mandarin) | Chin |
| German | Germ |
| Italian | Ital |
| Portuguese | Port |
| Russian | Russ |
| Spanish | Span |
I love languages, so to be able to learn alongside other people who are also passionate about the same thing is really motivating.
I especially love the Russian department, because it is so small and friendly, and we know all the teachers really well. They understand our difficulties with learning such a challenging language and give us great advice.
Charis
BA Spanish and Russian
Course content
The modules we outline here provide examples of what you can expect to learn on this degree course based on recent academic teaching. The precise modules available to you in future years may vary depending on staff availability and research interests, new topics of study, timetabling and student demand.
30 credits of compulsory Classical Studies modules, 30 credits of compulsory modules in your chosen language, 60 credits of optional modules (including 30 credits of Classical Studies modules, and 30 credits of Modern Languages modules).
Compulsory modules
Subject to choosing 120 credits for the stage overall, you must:
a select either CLA1005 or CLA1006; the modules run in alternate years so you must select the one which is running in this academic year.
b select 30 credits of compulsory modules in your chosen language.
| Code | Module | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| CLA CLA1005-CLA1006 [See note a above] | ||
| CLA1005 | Greek and Roman Narrative | 30 |
| CLA1006 | Greek and Roman Drama | 30 |
| MLX S1 Compulsory Language Modules 2023-4 [See note b above] | ||
| MLF1001 | French Language | 30 |
| MLF1052 | French Language for Beginners | 30 |
| MLG1001 | German Language | 30 |
| MLG1052 | German Language for Beginners | 30 |
| MLI1001 | Italian Language | 30 |
| MLI1052 | Italian Language for Beginners | 30 |
| MLM1052 | Beginners Chinese | 30 |
| MLP1052 | Portuguese Language for Beginners | 30 |
| MLR1001 | Contemporary Russian Written and Oral | 30 |
| MLR1030 | Russian Language for Beginners | 30 |
| MLS1001 | Spanish Language | 30 |
| MLS1056 | Spanish Language for Beginners | 30 |
Optional modules
c select 30 credits from this list of optional Classical Studies modules.
d select 30 credits of optional modules consisting of content related to your chosen language; on the Modern Languages side of your programme., you may select a maximum of 15 credits of either the SML- or HUM-coded modules listed below for the year. Please note that certain modules may only be available to students on Single Honours programmes, or to students who have taken a particular language module. This information will be given in the pre-requisites or co-requisites section of the relevant module descriptor. Please note for students of Modern Languages Portuguese (Single Honours or Combined Honours) MLP1002 is compulsory. For FLC students or other non-Modern Language students, it remains optional.
| Code | Module | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| CLA S1 BA CH Classics and Ancient History options 2023-4 [See note c above] | ||
| CLA1302 | Ancient Sources (Written Evidence): Greek Historiography to the End of the Fifth Century BC | 15 |
| CLA1307 | Ancient Sources (Written Evidence) Ancient Medicine | 15 |
| CLA1514 | Ancient Sources (Material Evidence) - Pompeii: Destruction, Discovery and Afterlife | 15 |
| CLA1517 | Ancient Sources (Material Evidence): Hellenistic Palaces in West Asia | 15 |
| CLA1406 | Text and Context: Roman Love Elegy | 15 |
| CLA1410 | Text and Context: Writing Women in Ancient Literature | 15 |
| CLA1507 | Ancient World: Greek Philosophy | 15 |
| MLX S1 Chinese Option Modules 2023-4 [See note d above] | ||
| MLM1010 | China of the Senses: Approaching Chinese Culture and Environments | 15 |
| MLM1013 | A Brief History of Modern China (1861-Present) | 15 |
| MLX S1 French Option Modules 2023-4 [See note d above] | ||
| MLF1017 | The Making of Modern France | 15 |
| MLF1103 | The French Language, Present and Past | 15 |
| MLF1105 | An Introduction to French Thought | 15 |
| MLF1121 | French Visual History | 15 |
| MLF1018 | The Devil is in the Detail: An Introduction to the Short Story in French | 15 |
| MLX S1 German Option Modules 2023-4 [See note d above] | ||
| MLG1014 | A Nation Remembers: Issues in German Cultural Memory | 15 |
| MLG1017 | Turning Points in German History 1200 - 2000 | 15 |
| MLG1021 | Outside In: An Introduction to Outcasts and Outsiders in German-language Literature and Film | 15 |
| MLX S1 Italian Option Modules 2023-4 [See note d above] | ||
| MLI1016 | Italy Inside Out: Popular Visual Narratives about Italy | 15 |
| MLI1121 | A Thousand Faces: Cultures and History in 19th-Century Italy | 15 |
| MLX S1 Portuguese Option Modules 2023-4 [See note d above] | ||
| MLP1002 | Introduction to the Lusophone World | 15 |
| MLX S1 Russian Option Modules 2023-4 [See note d above] | ||
| MLR1023 | Russia: Empire and Identity | 15 |
| MLR1006 | An Emotional Experience: Russian Literature and the Expression of Feeling | 15 |
| MLX S1 Spanish Option Modules 2023-4 [See note d above] | ||
| MLS1067 | Ideology in the Hispanic World | 15 |
| SML1067 | Ideology in the Hispanic World | 15 |
| MLS1068 | An Introduction to the Literature and Film of Spain | 15 |
| MLS1064 | An Introduction to the Hispanic World: Texts in Context | 15 |
| MLS1066 | The Making of Modern Latin America: History Through Literature and Culture | 15 |
| MLS1164 | A Journey of Discovery: Hispanic Global Culture | 15 |
| MLX S1 Neutral Option Modules 2023-4 [See note d above] | ||
| SML1207 | Introduction to Film | 15 |
| SML1208 | Language, Culture, and International Relations | 15 |
| SML1002 | Constructing Nature: Stories we Live By | 15 |
| SML1018 | The Devil Is in the Detail: An Introduction to the Short Story in French | 15 |
60 credits of compulsory modules, 60 credits of optional modules (including 30 credits of Classical Studies modules, and 30 credits of Modern Languages modules).
Compulsory modules
Subject to choosing 120 credits for the stage overall, you must:
e select either CLA2005 or CLA2006; the modules run in alternate years so you must select the one which is running in this academic year.
f You must select 30 credits of compulsory modules in your chosen language.
| Code | Module | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| CLA CLA2005-CLA2006 [See note e above] | ||
| CLA2005 | Greek and Roman Narrative | 30 |
| CLA2006 | Greek and Roman Drama | 30 |
| MLX S2 Compulsory Language Modules 2023-4 [See note f above] | ||
| MLF2001 | French Language, Written and Oral | 30 |
| MLF2152 | Intermediate French | 30 |
| MLG2001 | German Language, Written and Oral | 30 |
| MLG2052 | Intermediate German | 30 |
| MLI2001 | Italian Language, Written and Oral | 30 |
| MLI2051 | Italian Language | 30 |
| MLM2052 | Intermediate Chinese (One) | 30 |
| MLP2052 | Intermediate Portuguese | 30 |
| MLR2001 | Contemporary Russian Written and Oral I | 30 |
| MLR2030 | Intermediate Russian | 30 |
| MLS2001 | Spanish Language, Written and Oral | 30 |
| MLS2156 | Spanish Language (ex-beginners) | 30 |
Optional modules
g select 30 credits from this list of optional Classical Studies modules.
h select 30 credits of optional modules consisting of content related to your chosen language; on the Modern Languages side of your programme, you may select a maximum of 15 credits of either the SML- or HUM-coded modules listed below for the year. It is your responsibility to ensure that credit for SML modules can be counted towards the language of your study, where this is necessary for your credit count.
| Code | Module | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| CLA S2 BA CH Classical Studies options 2023-4 [See note g above] | ||
| CLA2302 | Ancient Sources (Written Evidence): Greek Historiography to the End of the Fifth Century BC | 15 |
| CLA2307 | Ancient Sources (Written Evidence) Ancient Medicine | 15 |
| CLA2406 | Text and Context: Roman Love Elegy | 15 |
| CLA2410 | Text and Context: Writing Women in Ancient Literature | 15 |
| CLA2514 | Ancient Sources (Material Evidence) - Pompeii: Destruction, Discovery and Afterlife | 15 |
| CLA2517 | Ancient Sources (Material Evidence): Hellenistic Palaces in West Asia | 15 |
| CLA2202 | Classical Language and Texts: Greek II | 30 |
| CLA2205 | Classical Language and Texts: Greek IV | 30 |
| CLA2252 | Classical Language and Texts: Latin II | 30 |
| CLA2254 | Classical Language and Texts: Latin IV | 30 |
| CLA3204 | Classical Language and Texts: Greek III | 30 |
| CLA3254 | Classical Language and Texts: Latin III | 30 |
| CLA2507 | Ancient World: Greek Philosophy | 15 |
| MLX S2 Chinese Option Modules 2023-4 [See note h above] | ||
| MLM2002 | Politics of Contemporary China | 15 |
| MLM2003 | Chinoiserie and Europeenerie: Artistic and cultural exchanges between China and Europe | 15 |
| MLX S2 French Option Modules 2023-4 [See note h above] | ||
| MLF2076 | Subversive Texts: Baudelaire and Rachilde | 15 |
| MLF2005 | Classical myth in French and francophone cinema | 15 |
| MLF2069 | East is East? Cross-Cultural Encounters in Medieval French Literature | 15 |
| SML2209 | Music in Medieval Europe | 15 |
| MLF2070 | Violence and Virtue: Early Modern French Theatre | 15 |
| MLF2074 | Translating Exile: Contemporary Francophone Women Writers | 15 |
| MLF2029 | Varieties of French | 15 |
| MLF2056 | Provoking Thoughts - French Literature and Philosophy from the Renaissance to the 20th Century | 15 |
| MLX S2 German Option Modules 2023-4 [See note h above] | ||
| MLG2003 | Youth and Age: Generations in German Fiction and Film | 15 |
| MLG2019 | Gender, Race and Migration in 20th and 21st-century German Literature | 15 |
| MLG2018 | Berlin - Culture, History and Politics | 15 |
| MLX S2 Italian Option Modules 2023-4 [See note h above] | ||
| AHV2208 | Ideal Cities? Urban Cultures of Renaissance Italy | 15 |
| MLI2019 | Italian(s) in the World | 15 |
| MLI2018 | Love (and Marriage?) in Contemporary Italian Film Comedy | 15 |
| MLX S2 Portuguese Option Modules 2023-4 [See note h above] | ||
| SML2004 | Contemporary Latin American Cinema | 15 |
| SML2002 | Cultural Connections in Southern Africa: Literature and Film | 15 |
| MLP2002 | Portuguese as a Global Language | 15 |
| MLX S2 Russian Option Modules 2023-4 [See note h above] | ||
| MLR2021 | Understanding Russia | 15 |
| MLR2024 | Exploring Revolution: The Making of Soviet Society and Culture in the 1920s | 15 |
| MLX S2 Spanish Option Modules 2023-4 [See note h above] | ||
| MLS2070 | Catalonia Is Not Spain? Modern Catalan Culture in Context | 15 |
| MLS2158 | "What is Love? And Do I Need It?" An Introduction to Spanish Renaissance Love Poetry | 15 |
| MLS2072 | Place and Identity in Contemporary Venezuelan Culture | 15 |
| SML2004 | Contemporary Latin American Cinema | 15 |
| MLS2061 | The Latin American Short Story | 15 |
| MLS2045 | Federico Garcia Lorca: Theatre and Poetry | 15 |
| MLS2073 | Literary Non-Fiction in Argentina: When Writing Meets the Real | 15 |
| MLX S2 Neutral Option Modules 2023-4 [See note h above] | ||
| HUM2005 | Tales of Freedom, Necessity and Providence | 15 |
| SML2246 | Intercultural Communication | 15 |
| SML2244 | Multilingualism in Society | 15 |
| SML2003 | Research Skills in Languages and Cultures | 15 |
Your International Placement (work or study) will take place in Year 3.
120 credits of compulsory modules
Compulsory modules
i You must take one of these modules.
| Code | Module | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| MLX S3 Compulsory Year Abroad Modules 2023-4 [See note i above] | ||
| SML3010 | Work and Study Abroad | 120 |
| SML3020 | Study Abroad at a Partner University (with Assessment in the Foreign Language) | 120 |
| SML3025 | Internship Abroad Combined with Study at a Partner University Abroad | 120 |
Stage 4: 60 credits of optional Classical Studies modules, 30 credits of compulsory modules in your chosen language and 30 credits of optional modules consisting of content related to your chosen language.
Compulsory modules
Subject to selecting 120 credits in the stage you must:
j select 30 credits of compulsory modules in your chosen language.
| Code | Module | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| MLX Final Stage Compulsory Language Modules 2023-4 [See note j above] | ||
| MLM3111 | Advanced Chinese Language Skills | 30 |
| MLF3111 | Advanced French Language Skills | 30 |
| MLG3111 | Advanced German Language Skills | 30 |
| MLI3111 | Advanced Italian Language Skills | 30 |
| MLP3111 | Advanced Portuguese Language Skills | 30 |
| MLR3111 | Advanced Russian Language Skills | 30 |
| MLS3111 | Advanced Spanish Language Skills | 30 |
Optional modules
k select 60 credits from this list of optional Classical Studies modules.
l select 30 credits of optional modules consisting of content related to your chosen language; you may select a maximum of 15 credits of the SML- or HUM-coded modules listed below for the year, these are additional to SML3015. You may, alternatively, take SML3030. Please note you may only select one dissertation module across the two programmes. It is your responsibility to ensure that credit for SML modules can be counted towards the language of your study, where this is necessary for your credit count.
| Code | Module | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| CLA Final Stage BA Ancient History-Classical Studies CH options 2023-4 [See note k above] | ||
| CLA3008 | The Age of Cicero | 30 |
| CLA3033 | Magic, Witchcraft and Ghosts in the Greek and Roman Worlds | 30 |
| CLA3045 | Thucydides and the Idea of History | 30 |
| CLA3056 | Ovid and the Erotic Passions | 15 |
| CLA3059 | Classical Language and Texts: Greek V: Imperial Greek Prose | 30 |
| CLA3113 | Art in Greek Society | 15 |
| CLA3123 | Applied Classics | 15 |
| CLA3124 | Receptions of the Classical Body | 30 |
| CLA3125 | Reading and Writing Greek Literature in the Hellenistic World | 30 |
| CLA3202 | Classical Language and Texts: Greek II | 30 |
| CLA3204 | Classical Language and Texts: Greek III | 30 |
| CLA3205 | Classical Language and Texts: Greek IV | 30 |
| CLA3206 | Classical Language and Texts: Latin IV | 30 |
| CLA3251 | Classical Language and Texts: Latin V: Epic | 30 |
| CLA3252 | Classical Language and Texts: Latin II | 30 |
| CLA3254 | Classical Language and Texts: Latin III | 30 |
| CLA3255 | Greek Political Thought | 15 |
| CLA3257 | Living in the Roman World: Society and Culture | 30 |
| CLA3263 | Being and Not-Being in Greek Philosophy: from Parmenides to Aristotle | 15 |
| CLA3267 | Dialogues with the Past: Creative Interpretative Project | 15 |
| CLA3274 | The Persians in a Near Eastern Context | 30 |
| CLA3275 | Women Writing Classics | 15 |
| CLA3277 | Lost Works and Fragments | 15 |
| CLA3278 | Roman Political Thought | 15 |
| CLA3279 | Knowledge, Wealth and Power in the Ancient World | 30 |
| MLX Final Stage Chinese Option Modules 2023-4 [See note l above] | ||
| MLM3009 | China through the Lens: Cultural Translation and Self-Presentation | 15 |
| MLM3008 | Introduction to Modern Chinese Literature | 15 |
| MLM3011 | China and the Third World: Foreign Relations and Nation Building in China in the Cold War Era | 15 |
| HUM3002 | Aliens Abroad: Science Fiction in Global Literature | 15 |
| HUM3015 | The Place of Meaning: Gardens in Britain and China | 15 |
| MLX Final Stage French Option Modules 2023-4 [See note l above] | ||
| MLF3034 | Sociolinguistics of French | 15 |
| MLF3078 | Philosophers, Prophets, and Mystics in French Culture | 15 |
| MLF3050 | Music, Poetry, and Society at the Late Medieval French Court | 15 |
| MLF3079 | Sex, Subversion and Censorship: Libertine Literature in Seventeenth-Century France | 15 |
| MLF3080 | Les Miserables from the Nineteenth Century to the Present Day | 15 |
| MLF3046 | Dialectology in France | 15 |
| MLF3075 | First-Person Outsiders in Modern French Literature | 15 |
| MLF3081 | Sexual Politics: Gender Dynamics in Early Modern France | 15 |
| EAF3520 | Beyond Sex and the City: Becoming a Woman in Contemporary Western Cinema | 15 |
| MLX Final Stage German Option Modules 2023-4 [See note l above] | ||
| MLG3036 | Dictatorships on Display: History Exhibitions in Germany and Austria | 15 |
| MLG3037 | Coping with Catastrophe: German Culture, Literature and Politics in the Interwar Years | 15 |
| MLG3040 | Sex, Sciences and the Arts | 15 |
| MLX Final Stage Italian Option Modules 2023-4 [See note l above] | ||
| MLI3199 | Elena Ferrante's My Brilliant Friend | 15 |
| AHV3002 | Understanding Space in Renaissance Italy | 15 |
| MLI3033 | Multicultural Italy | 15 |
| HUM3002 | Aliens Abroad: Science Fiction in Global Literature | 15 |
| EAF3520 | Beyond Sex and the City: Becoming a Woman in Contemporary Western Cinema | 15 |
| MLX Final Stage Portuguese Option Modules 2023-4 [See note l above] | ||
| MLP3009 | Afro-Brazil: Transatlantic Identities in Culture | 15 |
| SML3014 | Socialist Thought and Practice in Latin America and Africa | 15 |
| MLX Final Stage Russian Option Modules 2023-4 [See note l above] | ||
| MLR3027 | The Making of Underground Russia, 1825-1917 | 15 |
| MLR3026 | The Deceptive City: The Creation of St Petersburg in Russian Literature | 15 |
| HUM3002 | Aliens Abroad: Science Fiction in Global Literature | 15 |
| MLX Final Stage Spanish Option Modules 2023-4 [See note l above] | ||
| MLS3037 | Women and Feminism in 20th Century Spain | 15 |
| MLS3057 | Cross Currents: Memory, Myth and Modernity in Latin America | 15 |
| MLS3112 | Spanish Modernists: Narratives of Identity, Gender and Nation | 15 |
| MLS3071 | The Chilean Road to Socialism (1970-1973): What Happened and Why? Elements for a Debate | 15 |
| MLS3067 | "Monster of Nature and Phoenix of Wits." An Introduction to the Work of Lope de Vega | 15 |
| SML3031 | Advanced Translation Skills | 15 |
| MLS3066 | Almodovar's Spain: Cinema and Society | 15 |
| SML3014 | Socialist Thought and Practice in Latin America and Africa | 15 |
| HUM3002 | Aliens Abroad: Science Fiction in Global Literature | 15 |
| MLX Final Stage Neutral Option Modules 2023-4 [See note l above] | ||
| SML3013 | Through the Language Lens: the Relationship between Language, Culture and the Mind | 15 |
| SML3015 | Dissertation | 15 |
| SML3043 | Migration and Multilingualism | 15 |
| SML3041 | Green Matters in Modern Languages and Cultures | 15 |
| SML3042 | Transcultural Devon: Creating, Analysing and Subtitling Interviews in the Context of Migration | 15 |
| SML3009 | Intercultural Communication in a Global World | 15 |
| SML3030 | Extended Dissertation | 30 |
International Placement (work or study)
Study/Work Abroad in Year 3
A pivotal part of all Modern Language programmes is the International Placement, either studying at one of our prestigious partner universities, teaching on a British Council placement, or working in other employment. By immersing yourself in the culture you study, you will not only enhance your language skills, but cultivate:
- strong intercultural understanding
- improved communication skills
- the ability to think and study in different ways
- resilience and confidence
- analytical skills and the ability to make cross-cultural comparisons
- adaptability, independence and valuable life experience
During your International Placement, you will still be registered as an Exeter student and therefore supported in several ways. You will retain your personal tutor and be expected to keep in contact with them. You will also have the support of the Exeter Global Opportunities team for advice on any matter.
You will need to decide how to spend your International Placement during the first half of the second year. We will help you in the process. During your first year you will be invited to an introductory presentation about your Year Abroad options. In your second year, there is an extensive orientation programme to help you prepare for your Year Abroad.
Ways to spend the International Placement (work or study)
- You must spend 7-15 months abroad, maximising the opportunities available to you
- You can work, study, or split the year on two or more placements
- Students going to China or Russia can currently only study (work abroad is not available)
- If you study Portuguese, the only options available are study or work abroad (not a British Council assistantship)
Study Abroad
Studying abroad offers a range of possibilities, with over 40 different partner universities worldwide available to Modern Languages students. This can provide you with the opportunity to experience a different academic environment with local and other international students broadening your knowledge of the language and culture you study.
Work Abroad
Internships are very rewarding in that they can offer you valuable workplace experience. Placements can be sourced via our Global Opportunities webpages, but you can also source your own internship externally, though it must be approved by the Global Opportunities team. Some of our students have spent their Year Abroad working in translation, tourism, marketing, fashion, commerce, journalism, heritage and many other sectors.
British Council English Language Assistantship
Becoming an English Language Assistant with the British Council is a brilliant opportunity to explore both the world of working and, more specifically, the idea of working as a teacher. An academic year is spent supporting teachers in a primary or secondary school in the country of the language you are studying.
Does it count towards my degree?
The International Placement is an assessed year and the marks obtained count towards your final degree classification. If you begin a language in your first year at Exeter and intend to take that language in your final year, we strongly recommend you spend the majority of your Year Abroad in a country where that language is spoken. If you would like to arrange the year differently, you should first speak with the Programme Director for your language and/or the Study Abroad Officer.
How does it affect my tuition fee and funding?
For your International Placement you will pay a significantly reduced tuition fee to Exeter – for more information visit our fees pages. You will also continue to receive any Student Finance support for which you are eligible. Other financial support may also be available for certain students.
Fees
Tuition fees for 2024 entry
UK students: £9,250 per year
International students: £23,700 per year
Scholarships
The University of Exeter has many different scholarships available to support your education, including £5 million in scholarships for international students, such as our Global Excellence Scholarships*. Financial support is also available for students from disadvantaged backgrounds, lower income households and other under-represented groups to help them access, succeed and progress through higher education.
* Terms and conditions apply. See online for details.
Learning and teaching
How will I learn?
Our teaching makes full use of seminars, study groups and web-based learning, and there are many other opportunities for you to add to your overall experience in the department. We integrate the latest approaches with traditional lectures to give you a varied and challenging programme. In the first two years, the teaching is via both formal lectures (usually 50-70 students) and discussion-based seminar groups of around 12-18 students. All final year teaching is through discussion-based seminar groups.
Teaching hours
You’ll receive 10 contact hours per week with staff, both teaching time and with your personal tutor. You’re also expected to invest plenty of time in independent study and contact with your study-group (for example, in preparation for seminars). The exact amount of time spent working independently varies from module to module.
Extra opportunities
We hold mini conferences for some modules, where students can present papers to fellow students and staff, along with weekly research seminars and monthly Classical Association lectures, with talks from leading internal and external speakers. We have a lively and engaged student-led Classics Society which organises events throughout the year. Recently they have organised a trip abroad, plays, balls, debates, film nights, and loads more, on top of running lectures and a peer-mentoring scheme for the ancient languages. The department also publishes its own journal, Pegasus, and our students take an active role in writing and editing this publication.
Research-inspired teaching
Teaching that is inspired by research ensures that lectures are up-to-date and relevant to your studies. You will benefit from access to the latest thinking, equipment and resources. All staff teach third year options linked to their own interests, which include the study of ancient Greek Mythology, moral concepts in Latin literature, Greek inscriptions and ancient ideas of character, food, sex, politics and religion.
Academic support
All students have a Personal Tutor who is available for advice and support throughout your studies. There are also several services on campus where you can get advice and information, including the Students’ Guild Advice Unit.
Assessment
You will be assessed by coursework and exams throughout your study. You must pass your first-year modules in order to proceed: this level does not count towards your final degree classification. To be eligible for ‘Study Abroad’ you will need to attain an average of 60% or more in your first year. The assessments in the second year, year abroad (if applicable) and final year will contribute to your final degree classification. In most modules, your assessment will be: in the first year 70% exams and 30% coursework; in the second year 60% exams and 40% coursework; and in the final year 50% exams and 50% coursework.
Optional modules outside of this course
Each year, if you have optional modules available, you can take up to 30 credits in a subject outside of your course. This can increase your employability and widen your intellectual horizons.
Proficiency in a second subject
If you complete 60 credits of modules in one of the subjects below, you may have the words 'with proficiency in [e.g. Social Data Science]' added to your degree title when you graduate.
- A Foreign Language
- Law
- Social Data Science
- Entrepreneurship
- Leadership
Your future
Employer-valued skills this course develops
A degree in Classics and Ancient History, will provide you with skills which are highly valuable to employers across many sectors. You will develop an advanced knowledge of other cultures, learn how to think logically and independently, to interpret and critique sources, to assess and evaluate information and to communicate (verbally and in writing) in a sophisticated way.
Career support
We have a dedicated, award-winning Careers Service ensuring you have access to careers advisors, mentors and the tools you need to succeed in finding employment in your chosen field on graduation. The Exeter Award and the Exeter Leaders Award schemes encourage you to participate in employability related workshops, skills events, volunteering and employment which will contribute to your career decision-making skills and success in the employment market. Our graduates compete very successfully in the employment market, with many employers targeting the University when recruiting new graduates.
Career paths
As a Classics and Ancient History graduate, you will have an array of different industries open to you, such as museum and heritage work, education, journalism, business, and law. Our recent graduates have since secured a variety of positions, such as:
- Archives Assistant
- Business Development Associate
- Freelance Journalist
- Grants and Partnerships Assistant
- Investment Analyst
- Marketing Manager
- Publishing Assistant
- Research Culture Administrator
- Trainee Chartered Accountant
- Media Producer
Further study
A degree in Classics and Ancient History will put you in an excellent position to pursue postgraduate study after you have graduated. Our recent graduates have since enrolled on courses such as:
- MA History
- MA International Relations
- MSc Bioarchaeology
- MSc International Management
- Graduate Diploma in Law
- MSc Library and Information Studies
